Applicants must complete all 5 steps before serving as an approved volunteer!

As a Girl Scout volunteer you will have support from staff and a network of volunteers in your area. To get connected, contact us at
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.

Have questions? We have some answers.

What are the benefits of volunteering with Girl Scouts?

Get involved in your community. Girl Scout volunteers are connected to an extensive network of local volunteers. Make new friends in your area, get involved in projects to make your community better, and support your local girls.

Learn something new and spruce up your resume. Volunteer experience helps your resume shine. You don’t have to be an expert; Girl Scouts will provide volunteer training to prepare you to provide the best experiences for girls. Girl Scout volunteer experience translates to skills in leadership, marketing, finance, fundraising, organizing, event planning, project management, and budgeting. Not only will you be gaining new skills, but you will have great opportunities for networking.

It is good for you. Research shows that volunteering has both emotional and physical benefits. That feeling of happiness and accomplishment you get when you help someone is actually helping you live longer. We’re not kidding.

We have fun. Volunteering with Girl Scouts isn’t just rewarding, it is also a lot of fun. Whether you’re camping, serving the community, or attending a local event, we’re always having a good time.

Who can volunteer?

Girl Scouts is looking for volunteers who are committed to the mission of Girl Scouting and who represent our community’s diversity. Any adult 18 and over, out of high school who registers and can successfully pass a background check is welcome to join.

What do Girl Scout volunteers do?

Girl Scout volunteers can participate in a variety of ways. You can be a troop leader, or help support a troop. You can join the service team, a group of volunteers in a given area who organize events and support local volunteers. You can work with a team to plan an event, offer office support, or lead a special program for girls. Whether you can give a day, a few weeks, or the whole year, it all starts with you. Contact
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to find a volunteer role that’s a good fit for your schedule

What kind of support will I have as a volunteer?

As a new volunteer, you’ll have the support of both staff and knowledgeable volunteers. Several staff members are assigned to support each service unit. If you aren’t already in contact with your staff please contact
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and you will be connected to the team in your area.

Do I have to submit an Application for a Volunteer Position?

If you’re a new volunteer and you’ve never completed one before, absolutely. If you have any questions about the Application for a Volunteer Position please contact
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.

How often do I have to do a background check?

A background check is good for three years. If you need to know if your background check is valid or expired, please contact
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Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia conducts background checks on all potential volunteers. Safety is our number one priority in ensuring all Girl Scouts have a wonderful experience. GSCV contracts with, Asurint, a national company specializing in background screening for employers and volunteer organizations to provide our online background screening services.

FAQ’s

Q: Who has to be background screened?

A: All volunteers who will be responsible for any girl other than their own at any time must complete a background screening every three years.

*We can accept background screening reports from other agencies if they meet the same criteria for which we screen. Screenings must be done within the last three years, and contain a national criminal, county criminal, motor vehicle, and sex offender registry search. If you feel that you have a current screening that meets these criteria, please contact us at
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.

Q: What information will I be expected to give?

A: As part of the background screening process you will be asked to provide your social security number and driver’s license information. Please note: GSCV does not retain your SSN for any purpose. It is solely used to conduct your background screening. GSCV does not retain your driver’s license number for any purpose. It is solely used to conduct your background screening.

*Please note: all applicants with a Pennsylvania Driver’s License must contact GSCV at
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prior to submitting your background screening online.

Q: How long does this process take?

A: Every screening is different and can take anywhere from 24 hours to seven days to complete. Each reporting agency reports out based on their specific schedule which can be impacted due to weather, holidays, and other factors.

Q: How will I know if I passed?

A: GSCV contacts each and every applicant to notify them of their status as soon as possible after their screening is complete.

Q: Can I access the Asurint link using my mobile device?

A: Asurint’s website cannot support the use of tablets or phones to place orders.

A: GSCV has been subsidizing background screening costs for a number of years. Moving forward, we will be using those funds to enhance programming for the girls we serve. We would like to offer two options for purchasing your background screening.

Option 1: Enter codeword volunteerpay at the login screen if you’d like to make a contribution to the council and will pay $15.95 for the cost of your background screening.

Option 2: Enter codeword councilpay at the login screen if you are not able to pay the $15.95 at this time asking the Council to please pay for your background screening.

For any additional background screening questions, please email
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.

Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)Watch the video and then explore all the different aspects of the GSLE. It is the basis of everything we do in Girl Scouts. Bonus: Check out the background information under the ‘Ask Sophia’ section at the end. http://www.girlscouts.org/gsle/

Journey ResourcesWe have collected some resources just for you. This is a collection of some great tools that you can use to customize Journeys for girls. Remember to personalize the Journeys so that they incorporate girl-led, learning by doing, and cooperative learning.

Community Award Certificate

Description

The Community Award Certificate formally acknowledges individuals, businesses, organizations, churches, schools, or other agencies who have given special or consistent support to Girl Scouting. Recipients will receive a certificate recognizing their contribution.

Criteria

The organization or individual has given special or consistent support to Girl Scouting.

Recognition Request

For a certificate, fill out a Community Award Certificate Nomination Form. Volunteer Advancement verifies the information. Certificates will be mailed to the nominator. Plan an appropriate presentation ceremony for the honoree.

Submission Instructions and Deadline

Submit completed nomination packet to Volunteer Advancement no later than April 1, 2015.

Numeral Guard Pin

Description

The Numeral Guard Pin recognizes years of membership in any Girl Scout/Girl Guide organization. This pin recognizes the total years of membership, including girl and adult years at 5-year intervals.

Criteria

The candidate is a registered adult Girl Scout.

The candidate has been a member for the number of years indicated.

Recognition Request

For numeral guard pins, a Numeral Guard Pin Request Form is completed and submitted to GSCV’s Volunteer Advancement. Volunteer Advancement verifies the information. All forms are checked against members’ self-reporting of girl & adult membership years in COMAR. Please verify membership years in COMAR prior to submitting.

For 5, 10, and 15 year pins, the candidate or a representative from the service unit may purchase the appropriate pin at GSCV’s retail shop. The pin may be presented at a service unit-level recognition event. For 20+ year pins, the pin is purchased by GSCV and presented at GSCV’s annual Adult Award Ceremony.

Submission Instructions and Deadline

Submit completed nomination packet to Volunteer Advancement no later than April 1, 2015.

By E-Mail
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Notification and Presentation

For 20 or more years of membership, the recipient will receive an invitation to attend the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Annual Adult Award Ceremony, where awards will be presented by the GSCV Board President and CEO.

For 5-, 10-, and 15- years of membership, the SU or troop may purchase the pin at GSCV’s Shop and present it to the recipient at an appropriate ceremony; or, the recipient may purchase the pin at GSCV’s Shop.

Years of Service Pin

Description

The Volunteer Years of Service Pin recognizes an adult member registered with Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. for her/his years of active volunteer service at five-year intervals (5, 10, 15, etc.). This pin differs from the numeral guard in that it represents the number of years an adult volunteer has actively provided service, whereas the numeral guard recognizes years of membership.

Criteria

The candidate is an active, registered adult Girl Scout.

The candidate served as an adult volunteer for the number of years indicated.

Recognition Request

For years of service pins, a Volunteer Years of Service Request Form is completed and submitted to GSCV’s Volunteer Advancement. Volunteer Advancement verifies the information. All forms are checked against members’ self-reporting adult membership years in COMAR. Please verify membership years in COMAR prior to submitting.

For 5, 10, and 15 year pins, the candidate or a representative from the service unit may purchase the appropriate pin at GSCV’s retail shop. The pin may be presented at a service unit-level recognition event. For 20+ year pins, the pin is purchased by GSCV and presented at GSCV’s annual Adult Award Ceremony

Submission Instructions and Deadline

Submit completed nomination packet to Volunteer Advancement no later than April 1, 2015.

By E-Mail
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Notification and Presentation

For 20 or more years of service, the recipient will receive an invitation to attend the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Annual Adult Award Ceremony, where awards will be presented by the GSCV Board President and CEO.

For 5-, 10-, and 15- years of service, the SU or troop may purchase the pin at GSCV’s Shop and present it to the recipient at an appropriate ceremony; or, the recipient may purchase the pin at GSCV’s Shop.

Volunteer of Excellence

Description

The Volunteer of Excellence award recognizes those volunteers who have contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any Pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) through use of the National Program Portfolio or who have contributed outstanding service in support of GSCV’s mission delivery to girl and adult members. (Note: This award replaced the Outstanding Volunteer Award and Outstanding Leader Award in 2012.)

Criteria

The nominee is an active, registered adult Girl Scout.

The nominee has successfully completed a term of service and all requirements for the position.

The nominee has performed beyond expectations for the position to deliver the GSLE to girls using the National Program Portfolio, or

The nominee’s performance has been beyond the expectations of the position and has supported GSCV’s mission-delivery goals in one or more of the following functional areas: Membership Development/Community Cultivation, Volunteer Relations and Support, Program, Leadership and Governance, Fund Development, and Support Services (such as IT, Customer Service, Merchandising, Marketing and Communication).

The nominee actively recognizes, understands, and practices the values of inclusive behavior.

Nomination

A nomination packet is completed and submitted to GSCV’s Recognition Committee, along with supporting documentation indicating how the nominee meets the criteria. A minimum of two letters of endorsement from people other than the nominator must be submitted with the nomination. The Recognition Committee reviews the nomination documentation, then approves or denies it.

Examples of nominee

Over the course of a year, a troop leader works with her Senior/Ambassador Troop who plan and deliver two performance day camps, using content from the aMuse Journey, targeted to girls in underserved areas of GSCV. As a result, those areas have a combined total of 105 new Junior girl members and 6 new adult volunteers; 92 percent of the girls at camp also signed up for other opportunities during the year.

A college-student volunteer who was recruited by IT to help with data entry sees a posting on GSCV’s Facebook page encouraging recognition of volunteers on Leader’s Day. She sees an opportunity to use GSCV’s website to make this type of volunteer recognition easy and relevant for everyone to use. In coordination with GSCV staff, she helps launch a recognition page on the Web site that highlights real volunteer success stories and provides valuable information on ways to thank all volunteers throughout the year. As a result, 3,300 personal thank-you cards are sent to volunteers by GSCV leadership and staff, volunteers, parents, and girls in a year’s time. Nominations for GSUSA-earned awards also rise by 35 percent, and on satisfaction surveys, volunteers report feeling highly valued 22 percent more than the previous year.

Submission Instructions and Deadline

Submit completed nomination packet to Volunteer Advancement no later than April 1, 2015.

By E-Mail
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Notification and Presentation

The nominator will receive notification of approval or denial of award within three weeks of the submission deadline. Service Units or other nominating groups will purchase the award(s) to be presented at their own recognition events.

Submission Instructions and Deadline

Submit completed nomination packet to the Membership Manager/Adult Advancement no later than June 1, 2012.

By E-Mail
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Notification and Presentation

The nominator will receive notification of approval or denial of award within three weeks of the submission deadline. Service Units or other nominating groups will receive the award(s) to be presented at their own recognition events.

Appreciation Pin

Description

The Appreciation Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). This service, which has had measurable impact on one geographic area of service, helps GSCV reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals for that area.

Criteria

The nominee is an active, registered adult Girl Scout.

The service performed by the nominee is above and beyond the expectations for the position held, and made an impact on one geographic area with the GSCV’s jurisdiction.

Nomination

A nomination packet is completed and submitted to GSCV’s Recognition Committee, along with supporting documentation indicating how the nominee meets the criteria. Two letters of endorsement from people other than the nominator must be submitted with the nomination. The Recognition Committee reviews the nomination documentation, then approves or denies it. The Recognition Committee sends notification of the decision to GSCV’s Board of Directors for confirmation.

Example of nominee

At an event, a troop leader noticed that the diversity of the girls did not match the diversity of the community. She talked with GSCV staff members and found that they had identified a potential for membership increase among the Hispanic communities in her area. She partnered with the service-delivery team to create and implement recruitment strategies to reach both girls and adults and new ways of work to support new members. As a result, Hispanic girl membership rose by 14 percent and adult membership by 15 percent last year. While those new members participated in series and camps, 78 percent of them participated in troops.

Submission Instructions and Deadline

Submit completed nomination packet to Volunteer Advancement no later than April 1, 2015.

By E-Mail
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Notification and Presentation

The nominator will receive notification of approval or denial of award. Shortly after notification to nominators, awardees will receive an invitation to the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Annual Adult Award Ceremony, where awards will be presented by the GSCV Board President and CEO.

Honor Pin

Description

The Honor Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE), which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing GSCV to reach and surpass its mission-delivery goals.

Criteria

The nominee is an active, registered adult Girl Scout.

The service performed by the nominee is above and beyond the expectations for the position held and made an impact on two or more geographic areas within GSCV’s jurisdiction.

Nomination

A nomination packet is completed and submitted to GSCV’s Recognition Committee, along with supporting documentation indicating how the nominee meets the criteria. Three letters of endorsement from people other than the nominator must be submitted with the nomination. The Recognition Committee reviews the nomination documentation, then approves or denies it. The Recognition Committee sends notification of the decision to GSCV’s Board of Directors for confirmation.

Example of nominee

A Facilitator realized that although GSCV created online courses and resources about the GSLE, at volunteer meetings she heard comments indicating that many volunteers still were hesitant to use Journeys to deliver the GSLE to girls. She worked with the Volunteer Management department to develop a GSLE Coach role, which would support all direct-service volunteers as they implemented what they learned in the courses and put Journeys into action. This role was piloted in four service-delivery teams where, after the first year, Journey sales increased by 30 percent; girls shared the impact of 14 new take-action projects via GSCV’s website; and the volunteer-satisfaction scores increased by 12 percent.

Submission Instructions and Deadline

Submit completed nomination packet to Volunteer Advancement no later than April 1, 2015.

By E-Mail
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Notification and Presentation

The nominator will receive notification of approval or denial of award. Shortly after notification to nominators, awardees will receive an invitation to the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Annual Adult Award Ceremony, where awards will be presented by the GSCV Board President and CEO.

Thanks Badge II

Description

The Thanks Badge II honors a previous Thanks Badge recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement.

Criteria

The nominee is an active, registered adult Girl Scout.

The nominee has received the Thanks Badge.

The outstanding service performed by the nominee resulted in outcomes that benefitted the whole of GSCV or the entire Girl Scout organization, and is so significantly above and beyond the call of duty that no other award would be appropriate.

Nomination

A nomination packet is completed and submitted to GSCV’s Recognition Committee, along with supporting documentation indicating how the nominee meets the criteria. Four letters of endorsement from people other than the nominator must be submitted with the nomination. The Recognition Committee reviews the nomination documentation, then approves or denies it. The Recognition Committee sends notification of the decision to GSCV’s Board of Directors for confirmation.

Example of nominee

After receiving the Thanks Badge, the volunteer from the Thanks Badge example was motivated by the success of the Take-Action Tree House project and submitted to present this best practice at a GSUSA conference. She then served for two years on a national task group to help educate and support all 111 other councils as they create long-term plans that integrate all council departments to implement the cap pathway to grow membership and deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) through Journey use.

Submission Instructions and Deadline

Submit completed nomination packet to Volunteer Advancement no later than April 1, 2015.

By E-Mail
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Notification and Presentation

The nominator will receive notification of approval or denial of award. Shortly after notification to nominators, awardees will receive an invitation to the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Annual Adult Award Ceremony, where awards will be presented by the GSCV Board President and CEO.